Today Governor Sonny Perdue released new statistics trumpeting the success of his one-year old graduation coaches program.
Perdue was on the grounds of Marietta High School in Cobb County Friday to mark the strides of state educators in reducing Georgia's drop-out rate. The Governor says during his five years in office, the high school graduation rate has increased almost 9-percent. Now, just over 72 percent of Georgia high schoolers get their diploma.
Perdue attributes the success mainly to graduation coaches-–academic counselors who target "at risk students". He says while the benefit is personal for students, it's also economical for the state. Perdue says jobs are becoming more technical, and need more education.
"When we bring in, try to locate businesses and jobs here, the quality of our workforce is the real bottom line...and that's what they want to know. Can you supply us with a level of workforce that we need".
The Governor issued a challenge to Georgia schools to reach an 80-percent high school graduation rate by the time he leaves office in early 2011. Perdue noted his aim to target "at risk" kids earlier in the educational process, with middle school coaches part of the program this school year.
Perdue was on the grounds of Marietta High School in Cobb County Friday to mark the strides of state educators in reducing Georgia's drop-out rate. The Governor says during his five years in office, the high school graduation rate has increased almost 9-percent. Now, just over 72 percent of Georgia high schoolers get their diploma.
Perdue attributes the success mainly to graduation coaches-–academic counselors who target "at risk students". He says while the benefit is personal for students, it's also economical for the state. Perdue says jobs are becoming more technical, and need more education.
"When we bring in, try to locate businesses and jobs here, the quality of our workforce is the real bottom line...and that's what they want to know. Can you supply us with a level of workforce that we need".
The Governor issued a challenge to Georgia schools to reach an 80-percent high school graduation rate by the time he leaves office in early 2011. Perdue noted his aim to target "at risk" kids earlier in the educational process, with middle school coaches part of the program this school year.
